Whether
he was able to hide as well a certain trouble that clouded his
spirit I doubt. His wound he did manage to keep a secret, thanks to
the care of Miss St. John, who had dressed it with court-plaster.
When he woke the next morning, it was with the consciousness of
having seen something strange the night before, and only when he
found that he was not in his own room at his grandmother's, was he
convinced that it must have been a dream and no vision. For in the
night, he had awaked there as he thought, and the moon was shining
with such clearness, that although it did not shine into his room,
he could see the face of the clock, and that the hands were both
together at the top. Close by the clock stood the bureau, with its
end against the partition forming the head of his grannie's bed.
All at once he saw a tall man, in a blue coat and bright buttons,
about to open the lid of the bureau. The same moment he saw a
little elderly man in a brown coat and a brown wig, by his side, who
sought to remove his hand from the lock. Next appeared a huge
stalwart figure, in shabby old tartans, and laid his hand on the
head of each. But the wonder widened and grew; for now came a
stately Highlander with his broadsword by his side, and an eagle's
feather in his bonnet, who laid his hand on the other Highlander's
arm.
When Robert looked in the direction whence this last had appeared,
the head of his grannie's bed had vanished, and a wild hill-side,
covered with stones and heather, sloped away into the distance.
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